As a motorcyclist, you spend most of your time watching the traffic ahead of you, beside you and coming your way. The biggest threat from distracted driving seems to be a driver who begins drifting into your lane from the oncoming lanes or someone who merges without seeing that you’re already occupying that lane.
However, it’s important to also keep an eye on the cars behind you, especially when you are stopped at a light or a stop sign. If these drivers get distracted, they may fail to stop in time and cause a violent rear-end accident.
For instance, one viral case happened when a woman was texting and driving in her pickup truck while driving behind her friend, who was on a motorcycle. Ahead of them, a school bus came to a stop. The motorcyclist stopped properly and sat waiting behind the bus. The texting driver, though, did not even slow down. She slammed into the back of the bike, shoving it under the school bus as she then collided with the bus.
That particular instance gained so much traction because the whole thing was caught on tape, but these accidents could be repeated in many settings, with many different vehicles. Riders could be in danger when stopping for construction zones, traffic jams or even severe weather. Riders always want to keep their heads on a swivel and watch their mirrors intently.
Of course, simply watching to see if others make mistakes doesn’t mean those mistakes can be avoided. If you get injured in an accident, you may need compensation for your medical bills and other losses. Don’t hesitate to seek assistance with a complicated claim.